Services

"I haven't been to school in over 10 years and I decided to jump in head first. The best thing I've learned so far is that it's okay to ask for help, to say 'I don't get it.' Afterall, we're all learning together!"

In-Person Writing Advising

Having a conversation about writing is an excellent way to learn about how to write more effectively. We talk about what you think about your writing, what you expect from it, and most importantly, how you write. While we will discuss such issues as grammar, organization, and usage, we only do so in the context of your essay, since we first attempt to help you understand the impact and purpose of your writing. As one faculty member put it "...the purpose of the program is to offer students a chance for a dialogue with an advisor about not only writing assignments, but also the whole complex human process of making writing."

Through our conversation, you can find out more about what you have chosen to write about. We all know the knowledge building nature of a conversation. In talking to your math teacher, for example, you can clarify a complex problem, therefore building your knowledge of math. The same thing happens when you talk with a writing advisor. Sometimes talking to someone gets ideas straight in your mind. The conversation can also inspire new, more effective ideas.

Online Writing Advising

Online writing advising, like face to face tutoring, is based on the principles of a conversation about learning to learn, and learning that the responses of others are good ways to judge what effect your writing is having. Nevertheless, online response is essentially different from an in-person conference, and we often encourage students to make use of our in-person services in conjunction with an online response. Online tutoring is currently offered in three different formats:

• Quick Question: Did your teacher say something you didn't understand? Do you need help brainstorming? Can't quite remember how semi-colons are used? We'll do our best to answer your writing- and assignment-related questions.
• E-mail Tutoring: We advise you on these decisions and direct you to valuable resources, instead of correcting mistakes. Writing is much more than having wonderful grammar. The decisions you make as an author are tremendously important.
• Real Time Tutoring: Here you can make an appointment that takes place in an online chat program with audio/video capabilities. When you submit this form you will be taken to our online appointment system. Appointments must be made in advance.

Planning for Your Session

The best thing to be prepared for a tutorial is to think about what you want to get out of the session. While it is sometimes hard to figure out what you want to talk about, you should try to answer these questions:

• Who am I writing to?
• What don't I understand about the assignment?
• What do I expect the advisor to help me with?
• How much time do I have to write/revise the piece of writing?
• What questions do I have about the assignment or what I have written?

It is a good idea to actually write the answers to these questions down so that you can refer back to them in the tutorial. This information will help you and your advisor to focus on what you want to focus on. Remember, you are in charge. Aside from answering these questions, it is a good idea to bring the following:

• The assignment sheet your instructor gave you;
• Any drafts, notes, reading materials, etc. that relate directly to what you are writing;
• Your answers to the questions above.

In-Person Writing Resources

The Student Writing & Reading Center has a variety of materials available at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus location. Most of these materials are books. The Student Writing & Reading Center library, however, is not a circulating library. Materials may only be used in the Center. Here is a handy search tool to find items in the library.